The discovery of a breast lump, whether by chance, a breast self-exam, or during a clinical
breast exam, can be stressful for a woman. Because a lump can be a symptom of
breast cancer, all persistent breast lumps should be evaluated by a physician. However,
the majority of breast lumps (approximately 80%) are due to non-cancerous
causes.

What Should a Woman Do If She Finds a Breast Lump?

While the American Cancer Society and other organizations no longer recommend that woman perform
monthly breast self exams, these organizations suggest that self exams can be performed to
help detect changes in the breasts to call to a physician's attention. Women who perform
self exams should consult a healthcare professional to determine how to correctly perform the
exam. If women learn to perform BSE correctly, they can help detect changes and bring them
promptly to a medical professional. These self-exams allow women to become familiar with how
their breasts look and feel so they can more readily detect any changes that may
occur. Many women naturally have some lumpiness and asymmetry (differences between the right
and left breast). Breast self exams can help women find changes in the breast(s) that
persist over time. If a new lump is found and does not disappear after the menstrual
cycle, then it should be reported to a physician for clinical evaluation.

All persistent breast lumps should be evaluated by a physician. Practicing monthly
breast self-exams helps women get to know their breasts and more easily detect changes.

What Signs Suggest a Lump is Likely to Be Cancerous?

It is not possible for a woman or a physician to know for certain whether a breast lump
indicates breast cancer until imaging exams (such as mammography and ultrasound) and/or biopsy are performed. A breast biopsy involves taking a sample of
breast tissue and examining it under a microscope to determine whether it contains cancer
cells. However, there are certain characteristics associated with lumps that can suggest
whether they are more likely to be cancer or benign (non-cancerous).

While the above signs can help suggest whether a lump is more likely or less likely to
be cancerous, having one or more of these characteristics does not guarantee or
eliminate the possibility of having breast cancer. These characteristics merely
provide clues for the physician when evaluating a lump. Some breast cancers can have
characteristics found in the "less likely to be cancerous" category. Therefore,
all persistent breast lumps need to be presented to a physician.

Fibrocystic breasts:Fibrocystic breast
condition is a common, non-cancerous condition that affects more than 50% of women at
some point in their lives. In fact, the condition is so common that many physicians
refrain from using the term "fibrocystic" and simply tell their patients that
their breasts are lumpier than average but are still normal.

The most common signs of fibrocystic breasts include: lumpiness, tenderness, cysts,
areas of thickening, fibrosis, and breast pain. Having
fibrocystic breasts, in and of itself, is not a risk factor for breast cancer. However,
fibrocystic breast condition can sometimes make it more difficult to detect a hidden
breast cancer with standard examination and imaging techniques. Therefore, it is important
that women with fibrocystic breasts practice monthly breast self-exams, receive regular
clinical breast exams, and have yearly screening mammograms
(the latter beginning at age 40).

Symptoms of Fibrocystic Breasts

cysts (fluid-filled sacs)

fibrosis (scar-like connective tissue)

lumpiness

areas of thickening

tenderness

pain

The degree to which women experience symptoms of fibrocystic breast
condition varies considerably. Some women with fibrocystic breasts have only mild breast
pain and may not be able to feel any breast lumps when performing breast self-exams. Other
women with fibrocystic breasts may experience more severe breast pain or tenderness and
may feel multiple lumps in their breasts. Most fibrocystic breast lumps are found in the
upper, outer quadrant of the breasts (near the armpit), although these lumps can occur
anywhere in the breasts. Fibrocystic breast lumps tend to be smooth, rounded, and mobile
(not attached to other breast tissue), though some fibrocystic tissue may have a
thickened, irregular feel. The lumps or irregularities associated with fibrocystic breasts
are often tender to touch and may increase or decrease in size during the menstrual cycle.

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